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More than 18% of adults in the United States use tobacco products, with the majority using cigarettes and e-cigarettes. As the negative benefits of smoke-based tobacco use become widely known and people seek ways to use nicotine without those risks, however, smokeless tobacco products, such as nicotine pouches, are becoming more common choices.
However, nicotine pouches aren’t without their own downsides, and they can be quite addictive. Learn more about these smokeless tobacco products below, including risks of addiction and abuse.
What Are Nicotine Pouches?
Nicotine pouches are small pouches that contain powdered nicotine. They’re typically sold in singles or multi-packs, with packages of up to 15 pouches common. ZYN pouches and On! pouches are two examples of brands of nicotine pouches.
How Do On! Tobacco Pouches and Similar Products Work?
Nicotine pouches work by releasing nicotine into the bloodstream via the lining of the mouth. The pouches are small, so they can be pushed into a space between the upper or lower lip and the gums. As saliva interacts with the pouch, the contents become moist. This releases the flavor of the pouch to help improve the experience of using it and helps the nicotine release through the lining of the lip and mouth.
Nicotine pouches are sold in various strengths to create a different impact when using them. They also come in a variety of flavors designed to help personalize the experience of using the pouch.
Are ZYN Pouches and Similar Products Addicting?
Nicotine is considered highly addicting, so yes, these types of products are also addicting.
Nicotine works on the brain by causing a surge of endorphins that can create a sense of euphoria. This euphoria isn’t long-lasting or as strong as the “high” experienced with some other substances such as cocaine or heroin. However, nicotine causes the same type of change in the brain as other drugs, which means you can become less sensitive to nicotine over time, requiring more of the substance to create the same feeling.
The need for increasing amounts of nicotine or more frequent nicotine use to achieve the same results drives addiction and physical dependency. Eventually, someone uses nicotine so consistently and at such levels that the body begins to react to nicotine in the system as if this is the normal state. When there isn’t enough nicotine in the system, the body reacts as if something is wrong, and this leads to withdrawal symptoms.
What Are Some Signs of Nicotine Pouch Abuse or Dependency?
An increasing need for nicotine, such as requiring more pouches in a day or buying pouches with more nicotine in them, is a sign of physical dependency. Withdrawal symptoms can signal that your body is dependent on the substance and are another common sign of addiction. Common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Irritability and mood swings
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Physical jitters
- Cough or sore throat
If you feel nervous or anxious about not having a nicotine pouch available at all times or lash out at others over small things when you aren’t able to use a pouch, these are signs of a potential dependency. Some other signs include:
- Ignoring personal or other responsibilities to obtain or use nicotine, such as prioritizing nicotine pouch purchases over other necessary items for yourself or your family
- Using the pouch despite identified health issues such as mouth sores or high blood pressure
- Hiding your use from friends and family or attempting to conceal how much nicotine you’re using
- Not being able to stop using on your own
Tips for Quitting and Managing Nicotine Cravings
If you’re physically dependent on On! pouches or other nicotine products, it can be difficult to quit. However, it’s not impossible to stop abusing nicotine. Here are some tips for doing so:
- Set a goal. Pick a date when you’re going to begin the process of getting off nicotine. For accountability, share this date with other people. Setting a date in the future, such as next week, can help you prepare mentally for the task.
- Identify triggers. Consider what types of things drive you to abuse nicotine. Are you more likely to use a pouch when you’re hungry, angry or feeling overwhelmed? You can make proactive plans to try healthier coping mechanisms in such scenarios.
- Commit to regular exercise. Healthy exercise may help reduce cravings for nicotine, and it can be good for your overall health. A pleasant walk can also help you get your mind off your craving or remove you from a situation that’s triggering it.
- Set up a support system. Let those around you know what you’re doing so they can cheer you on and provide accountability. Your loved ones can also give you some grace as you deal with withdrawal symptoms.
- Create a milestone reward system. Celebrate small steps, such as reducing nicotine use by 50% or being clean of nicotine for a whole week. You might also allocate the money you normally spend on nicotine pouches to a savings account and then use that money to buy something you enjoy.
- Consider a tapered approach. Quitting tobacco and nicotine products cold can be especially difficult. If you find you struggle to do so, consider weaning yourself off by reducing your use of nicotine pouches slowly. You can also invest in products like nicotine patch systems to help you taper your use, but you should never double up on two types of nicotine products.
Get Professional Help in Treating Addiction
Individual therapy and other professional resources can often help you break the cycle of addiction, even when you’ve been unable to do so on your own. To talk to someone about potential treatment options for nicotine patch addiction, reach out to FHE Health today.
